Employers may need to arrange for employees exposed to welding fume to be placed under health surveillance. Health surveillance is collecting and using information about workers’ health, related to their work. As welding fume can cause asthma any health effects must be picked up early. This can be done using health surveillance.
Health surveillance is likely to be necessary when employees are exposed to known asthmagens (substances that are capable of causing occupational asthma) such as hexavalent chromium found in stainless steel welding fume. Where an employer’s risk assessment identifies such a risk, health surveillance should be provided for affected workers.
Health surveillance for workers exposed to asthmagens in welding fume may include:
Health questionnaires should be used to assess workers’ respiratory health before they start employment. At appropriate intervals, as recommended by a health professional, questionnaires should also be used to assess worker health during their employment.
All questionnaires should be completed by a responsible person and further advice will likely be required from an occupational health provider.
In addition to questionnaires, a lung function test may also be performed to help to assess a worker’s lung health.
Further detailed information in relation to health surveillance for those exposed to asthmagens in welding fume is contained within COSHH essential general guidance G402 Health Surveillance for occupational asthma.
Decisions on the appropriate form of health surveillance should be taken on advice from an occupational health provider. The precise form of health surveillance will depend on the particular circumstances of exposure (level, frequency and duration) identified by the risk assessment.
Employees should always cooperate with their employer or works doctor/nurse if health surveillance is required.
Health surveillance is never an alternative to the proper control of exposure. It is not the same as health screening or health promotion.
More information about choosing an occupational health provider is available by reading Tips for purchasing occupational health services.
